Hakone super delicious

Today we want to start early; the internet stated that the first cable car goes at 8:00.

The night on the futon bed was good. However, using the cherry pit pillow as a headrest takes some getting used to, especially for side sleepers. The breakfast selection was very good. There was something for everyone.

We set off on time. Refreshingly humid 28 degrees greet us and already the pores are opening - wonderful. It's strangely quiet with so few people around. But we soon realize why. The first cable car departs only at 8:45. What do we learn from this - not everything on the internet is true. But on the bright side, we are the first in line 👍.

First, we take the cable car up the mountain,

then we transfer to the gondola.

Just before the first station, we fly over the famous geothermal area Owakudani,

where the black eggs are cooked.

Of course, we have to try them.

But they taste to us like regular eggs - just look cooler. Continuing to the next gondola,

which takes us across to Lake Ashi.

Lake Ashi is a crater lake that formed 3000 years ago in the caldera of a collapsed volcano.

Here we board the pirate ship, the Queen Ashinoko.

There follows a 25-minute crossing. We would have loved to play Rose and Jack, unfortunately, that was only possible in first class.

Almost like on the Titanic 😂.

Today it is very cloudy - we probably won't be seeing Fuji 😩.

The entire trip was in vain. 😩😩

From the boat dock, we want to take the bus to the Mishima Skywalk, but first we can't find the bus stop, and then we would have to wait another 3/4 hour. So let's first take a look at the famous Torii in the water.

Oh my God, what a queue -

and just for a photo with the Torii.

Facts:

Hakone is a Japanese city in the mountains west of Tokyo. It is located in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is known for its hot springs (onsen) and views of the famous Fuji volcano. The Hakone Shrine, a Shinto shrine with a red 'Torii' gate on the shore of Lake Ashi, and the hot sulfur springs in the Owakudani valley are the main attractions here.

We are a bit smarter and position ourselves a few steps higher; being so broad, we almost stand alone.

Now, the bus to the Mishima Sky Walk will soon depart.

Facts:

The Mishima Skywalk, at a total length of 400 meters, is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan. It spans a gorge between the south and north ground. From the south site and the bridge, there is a great view of the surrounding landscape, and in good weather, one can admire Japan's highest mountain, Fuji.

Unfortunately, it didn't work out today 😩, but the walk was quite nice, and the wind made the bridge sway a bit. You just shouldn't think about what might happen if there was an earthquake now, or if Fuji were to erupt. I always think of scenes from disaster movies, like from the film San Andreas with The Rock - Dwayne Johnson, where the ropes on the bridge snap and fly away while the bridge sways, then Dwayne flies in with a helicopter, one arm on the control stick and with the other, he saves the people from the bridge - so, us...

But today everything remains calm, and Dwayne can do other things.

Just a quick selfie, and then off to the bus, since it only runs once an hour.

A wonderful day is drawing to a close. A little relaxing in the private onsen.

Facts:

Onsen are hot baths that usually have a temperature of 38-42 degrees. Public onsens are strictly separated by gender. You bathe nude in an onsen. Tattoos must be covered in public onsens. However, there are also private onsens that can be rented (we had two free ones at our hotel), where you are alone. The rules are the same though.

• Enter the bath without shoes.
• Remove clothing and place it in the designated boxes.
• Before you can enter the onsen pool, you must wash yourself thoroughly. Soap and shampoo are provided. Have a small towel ready to cover your private area.
• Always sit down while washing. Before you get up, make sure that the washing area is free of soap residue.
• Now into the pool, and you place the small towel on your head. Note: Towels must not touch the water.

• Due to the heat, you should not bathe for more than 15 minutes.
• Then proceed as after sauna.

It was really relaxing. After the bath, the outside temperature feels almost cold. 🥶

Now for dinner at the Gyoza Center - wow, that was delicious

and then off to bed.